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TPS54340: Is it OK to use this buck regulator to source 3A continuous output current, with Vout being 0.91V and Vin being 12V, at 125degC ambient temperature?

Part Number: TPS54340

Hi,

  1. Is it OK to use the TPS54340 buck regulator to source 3A continuous output current, with Vout being 0.91V and Vin being 12V, at 125degC ambient temperature? As per TINA simulations for the circuit exported from WEBENCH designer and power dissipation calculations assuming standard board, it does appear like this should work fine, but just wanted to reconfirm
  2. Also, this design is for an HTOL test environment, and the actual design requires 10 separate test chips drawing ~3A each from their respective 0.91V supplies. I was planning to use one TPS54340 buck regulator for each test chip (to reduce power delivery network IR drops by having localized power sources), and the inputs of all 10 buck regulators would be connected to a 12V 120W DC adapter. I understand that the average current drawn from the adapter will be much lesser compared to the average current delivered to the load, but I suppose the adapter would have to support current spikes during the turn ON phases of the buck switch whose magnitude depends on the amount of decoupling capacitance available at the VIN pin of the buck? I guess it is OK to use a high value of decoupling capacitance, say 100uF near to the VIN pin to relax the dynamic current requirements for the 12V adapter?

Thanks,

Anoop

  • Hi Anoop,

    I talked with the product expert, and our calculations show that TPS54340 will be operating very close and possibly above the maximum recommended junction temperature. We do not recommend that this part operates at 125C ambient temperature, VIN=12V (+/- 20%), 0.91V output, and 3A load. The temperature dissipation will also be dependent on the layout, and as you put 10 on the same there will also be an increased possibility of the devices reaching a junction temperature greater than 150C.

    By operating above the recommended maximum junction temperature you will degrade the lifetime of the part, and if the temperature reaches thermal shutdown, then the TPS54340 would shut off.

    Best Regards,
    Katelyn
  • Hi Katelyn,

    Thanks a lot for the quick response.

    1. Is there an alternate buck regulator part you would like to recommend which may support this application? It will have to support operation at this environment over extended periods like 1000 hrs (ie the entire duration of the HTOL test)
    2. Also, for the TPS54340 part, what may be the safest highest continuous current load that can be supported in this environment? Would 2A be a safe bet?

    Thanks,

    Anoop

  • Hello Anoop,

    For any application at 125C ambient temperature, the layout will be very critical. You want to ensure the IC temperature remains below 150C since this is the maximum rated temperature. It will be very critical there is a large enough ground plane, spacing, and good layout to dissipate the heat for continuous operation.

    You will want to testing of your design at 125C to understand the efficiency and temperature rise at this ambient temperature.

    At 3A, the power dissipation will be approximately 1.8W. At 2A, the power dissipation will be approximately 1.2W. At 1A, the power dissipation will be approximately 434mW. The 1A output load will start to be in a 'safer' area of operation. However, again this will be very dependent on the layout.

    Best Regards,
    Katelyn Wiggenhorn
  • Thanks Katelyn for the detailed response